COUNTRY GARDENING
Gardening for beginners is easier than you think By Trisha Gedon Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
or some folks, gardening is a mystery – even intimidating. They believe they do not know enough about it to try, or are simply convinced they do not have a green thumb. Whatever the case, there are some who think they are not cut out to get a little dirt under their nails. Even if one does not know a rose bush from a tomato plant, there is still hope. David Hillock, Oklahoma State University Extension consumer horticulturist, said anyone can garden, no matter their skill level or the size of the landscape. “Obviously, big, elaborate gardens and landscapes take time and talent," Hillock said. "But, if you start slowly, maybe with just a tomato plant, a pot of herbs or even a few colorful annuals, you’re bound to have success. Starting small and slow also is a great way to get kids interested in horticulture. It’s easy to get started gardening by planting a dish garden, container garden or a succulent garden.” A dish garden is a type of container garden, typically made with shallow 44 — Oklahoma Country
dishes or bowls and with multiple plants in one container. The great thing about a dish garden is you can mix and match different plant species. However, make sure the plants you choose have similar water and light requirements as this will help with gardening success. Hillock said the dish must have enough room for the plants as well as the media to support the plants. Also, keep drainage in mind. “Don’t use a layer of gravel in the bottom of the dish. This actually will hinder water movement away from the roots,” he said. “The media used for a dish garden will vary, depending on the type of plants. Choose something that drains well, but holds adequate moisture. The soil also should not be very fertile, as this encourages rapid growth.” The great thing about dish gardening is the plants used generally stay small or grow slowly. A popular plant group for dish gardening is succulents. Succulents do not need as deep a dish as other
plants, since they can tolerate shallow rooting and longer dry spells. Do not make the mistake of planting a succulent with a plant that likes moist soil and high humidity. Container gardening is another option for beginners, and it opens up even more possibilities than dish gardens. “Some people may think container gardens are just for flowers or small shrubs, but you actually can grow a wide variety of edibles, including vegetables and herbs,” Hillock said. “Herbs or a tomato plant are great choices for novice gardeners. Although container gardening includes many of the same elements as traditional gardening, it isn’t nearly as time consuming, which makes it perfect for those just getting interested in gardening. Basically, once the flowers, herbs or vegetables are planted, all you have to do it is keep it fertilized and watered.” Keep in mind the Oklahoma summer heat quickly can dry out the potting soil